New contract raises pay for firefighters, less to new hires

Monday, May 23, 2011

By TERRENCE T. McDONALD

JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

Jersey City firefighters will receive a 2.5 percent
cost-of-living increase annually from 2013 through 2015,
while new firefighters will have their salary increases and
benefits curtailed, thanks to an agreement forged last week
between the city and the local firefighters union.

The city, which was awarded an $8.1 million federal grant
to pay for hiring new firefighters over the next three
years, wanted to amend its contract with the Uniformed Fire
Fighters Association of Jersey City Local 1066 before it
hired the additional personnel, city officials said.

"Amending the contract now . will lower the cost of
running the department," said city spokeswoman Jennifer
Morrill.

The old contract was set to expire next year. The amended
version will expire in 2015.

The amendments include what the city called significant
savings because of reduced vacation time and longevity pay
to all firefighters hired after the May 9 agreement.

New firefighters will also have an increased step
schedule, giving them 10 years, instead of the usual seven,
to hit their maximum salary.

Current firefighters, meanwhile, will receive a 2.5
percent cost-of-living increase annually from 2013 through
2015.

All firefighters will now pay higher co-pays for
prescription drugs, from $20 currently to $22 starting in
2012 and $24 starting in 2014.

Local 1066 President Joseph W. Krajnik did not return a
request for comment.